Comments on: Your Dog’s Leash – Is it a Steering Wheel or a Communication Tool?

By: Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady

Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 16:57:00 +0000

In reply to Pamela.

Haha lol yea….who knows! I Stoll try my best but ya know….stubborn LOL!!! Thanks very much for your response!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 10:18:15 +0000

In reply to Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady.

Gee, a husky who pulls? Who’d have thought? 🙂

My last dog, Shadow, ignored me totally on a walk. Her nose drove her forward. And she pulled so hard my hands bled.

We eventually found a balance between training (using the clicker to reward her for paying attention to me) and management (using a no-pull, front fastening Easy Walk harness) to walk together.

Truth is, we do the best we can with what we’ve got. I don’t believe every dog and person will communicate perfectly all the time. Any more than I could become an Olympic swimmer with practice.

I bet Lexus will become easier on the leash as she gets older. Or maybe not. 🙂

By: Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady

Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 04:39:20 +0000

What a wonderful post! I absolutely loved reading it, very interesting!
That being said, I am guilty of using the leash as a steering wheel. At least with one of my huskies. Mila, my oldest was very easy to teach leash manners, and she doesn’t like the leash being tight on her so she walks beautifully…..Lexus, my youngest, oh……boy!
I have been trying for a long long time to teach her, she is very smart and knows a ton of things I have taught her but refuses to walk without pulling! I’ve tried everything! So yes I do use the leash as a steering wheel with her….:(

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 00:03:09 +0000

In reply to Vicki Cook.

The truth is that some dogs are absolutely trustworthy off leash–until they aren’t. Honey has good 97% of the time. But it’s that 3% that is terrifying.

I’m sure Zora is happy to walk with someone who respects her natural exploring instincts. 🙂

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 00:01:38 +0000

In reply to Sherri. Unless you have a very tiny dog, a leash is never like power steering. Glad to hear of your success. And thanks so much for telling the rest of the Thumper and Lightning bone wars. It's very amusing.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:55:15 +0000

In reply to Misaki. You need to work on your training skills, Misaki. If you're patient and consistent, I'm sure you mummy will eventually learn to follow where you want to go. :)

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:53:05 +0000

In reply to John. Very well put, John. I agree 100%. Our dogs find walking very stimulating. It is all about them and we're just along to keep them company.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:52:02 +0000

In reply to Lauranne.

I like the analogy of a leash to a safety net. If you’re totally connected you really only need it for safety.

I’ve also experimented with silent walks. I also talk with Honey the way you do. But sometimes I experiment with silent walks. She’s quiet so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s an interesting process to try to communicate only with your body and not your words.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:47:27 +0000

In reply to 24 Paws of Love. "It’s become a really cool experience walking my dogs when I get MY expectations out of the way. " Amen. And isn't that true with all of life? Expectations are a killer.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:46:39 +0000

In reply to Roberta. Until you mentioned it, I hadn't made the connection between a leash and reins. I don't ride, myself. But I'm guessing horse people understand the idea of leash communication better than many of the dog people.